Poetry Friday: Can You Wiggle Like a Worm?

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HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell is a gem of a book! And I feel so honored to be included and in the company of such wonderfully talented poets. I’ve had so much fun spreading the word about this book and participating in a couple of Zoom gatherings.

After I came across the call for submissions and what Janet and Sylvia were looking for, I started thinking about the many classrooms I worked in over the years. Often when I would go in to do a whole-class lesson, the teacher would greet me then say something about helping the kids get their wiggles out first. A quick song or chant with movement would follow. So when I came up with “wiggle” and “jiggle” I put them together for my first stanza.

Can You Wiggle Like a Worm?
by Rose Cappelli

Can you wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Like a worm, worm, worm?
Can you jiggle, jiggle, jiggle
As you squirm?

Can you paddle, paddle, paddle
Like a dog, dog, dog?
Can you hop, hop, hop
Like a frog?

Can you climb, climb, climb
Like a cat, cat, cat?
Can you flap, flap, flap
Like a bat?

Wiggle, jiggle,
Paddle, hop,
Climb, flap,
STOP!

You can order HOP TO IT at QEP Books here. Robyn Hood Black is hosting a Hop To It blog tour today along with Poetry Friday here. Thanks, Robyn, for hosting.